Two amazing books recently turned me into a vegan, and that’s a bold statement from a serious bacon addict (not to mention cheese, eggs, the occasional foie gras, and did I mention bacon?) who also needed a twice-a-day grande latte fix.

About six weeks ago I devoured “Finding Ultra” by Rich Roll, considered to be one of the 25 fittest men on the planet. His tale is compelling: He went from being a drug addict and alcoholic who pretty much lived on cheeseburgers and was nearly 50 pounds overweight and unable to climb the stairs without wheezing to completing the Epic5, which is five Ironman competitions in less than a week, most of it after the age of 40. The kicker: He did it all as a vegan.

Pretty impressive. But it’s not just the competition aspect that makes the case for going to an entirely plant-based diet. What Roll does throughout the book is make following a vegan diet sound so lovely. He talks about how he not only lost the weight, but also just feels better. Sleeps better. Doesn’t have those aches and pains, bloating, crankiness, mood swings and other physical issues as he gets older.

So I thought, OK, I’ll take that challenge. I’ll do it for a month, and see how it goes.

It's ten degrees, pitch black outside and the dog is waking you up. Time for a run!

It’s 6:30 a.m. when the dog wakes me, resting his big bear head on the side of the bed wagging his tail furiously.

It’s not pitch black like it was a month ago, but still, the dawn is just breaking and it’s only ten degrees outside. I worked late last night I remind the dog and tug the sleeping bag’s downy covers tighter around me. Badger settles onto the wooden floor with a disappointed groan.

Let’s see. Do I stay comfortable and warm in bed? Or do I get up and stomp around in the cold house pulling on layers of tights and tops and socks and trying on whatever jackets or fleeces and hats I think will keep me warm? Since the trails are buried beneath snow I’ll have to wear either snowshoes or micro spikes, adding what feels like a hundred pounds to each foot. None of it a pleasant prospect on this frigid snowy morning. At least I won’t need a headlamp. I’m thankful for the small things.

Travel and Fitness Editor Kyle Wagner grew up in Pittsburgh and lived in Lake County, Ill., and Naples, Fla., before moving to Denver in 1993, where she reviewed restaurants for Westword before moving to The Denver Post in 2002. She considers the best days to be those that involve her teenage daughters and doing something outside, preferably mountain biking or whitewater rafting.

The pursuit of a healthier state through better living. The Denver Post's ColoradoFit blog features local experts on the latest fitness trends, active lifestyles and nutrition options in Colorado and beyond.